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Rubber bath mats should be cleaned periodically to remove oily buildup from the various soaps and hair products which can leave slippery films on the surface. The bathroom is often a confined space where temperature fluctuates. Mold and mildew can develop and lead to a foul-smelling odors. Worse, the filmy buildups can pose a hazard when stepping into or out of a shower or bathtub.
Steps
Use protective gear when handling bleach. Bleach may splash when being poured and can irritate your eyes or skin. Wear protective cleaning gloves before pouring bleach. You may also wish to use goggles to cover your eyes. [1]
Make sure the bathroom area is well-ventilated. Before preparing a diluted bleach solution, open a window or leave the bathroom door open. Fumes from using bleach or making a bleach solution can be noxious and cause dizziness. [2]Advertisement
Prepare a diluted bleach solution in a bathtub. If this is the tub that contains the bath mat, lift up the bath mat so it isn’t stuck to the bottom of the tub. An easy and effective way to clean your rubber bath mat is to soak it in a diluted bleach solution in your bathtub. If you have a deep or utility sink, that may be preferable. Be prepared to measure the amount of bleach to be used in making your solution and have more than enough room for a proper soaking.
Add only cold water to the bathtub first. Add one gallon of water to the bathtub. Do not pour bleach directly into the bathtub. Do not make a diluted bleach solution with hot water. Hot water may intensify fumes as bleach is added. [3]
Measure the amount of bleach to be used. Have a measuring cup or tablespoon handy. Do not pour bleach indiscriminately into the cold water. Unequal parts of bleach to water may create a more potent and dangerous solution and cause dizziness or breathing problems. Some recommended measurements are as follows:[4]- Add 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water for normal cleaning.[5]
- Add 1 cup (240 mL) of chlorine bleach to 5 gallons (19 L) of water for heavier cleaning.[6]
- As an alternative to bleach, make a solution of 1 cup (240 mL) of white vinegar and 1 cup (240 mL) of water and use it to scrub the mat. Or, fill the tub or basin with equal parts vinegar and water and allow the mat to soak.
Cheryl Mendelson, Homekeeping ExpertFor thorough cleaning of rubber bath mats, soak in a diluted bleach solution made with 1⁄4 cup bleach per gallon of cool water. Let soak 10-20 minutes, then rinse and scrub away stubborn stains with a soft brush. Allow to dry completely in sunlight to naturally deodorize and prevent future mildew buildup. Check manufacturer instructions before using bleach, and test on an inconspicuous spot first.
Let the mat soak, then scrub it. You may decide a more thorough cleaning is in order, or you might just want to keep your bath mats fresh.- To eliminate mold or mildew, leave the rubber bath mat in the diluted bleach solution for 3-4 hours.
- To freshen up the bath mat with a quick clean, scrub the rubber bath mat with a cleaning brush or scouring pad to remove dirt and debris after soaking for a few minutes.
Dry the bath mat when you’re done cleaning. Remove the bath mat from the bathtub and set to dry on the back of a chair or outdoors in the sun. Drain and rinse the bathtub to remove dirt and scum collected from the cleaning.[7]- Do not put the bath mat in the dryer as the heat will warp it!
Place the rubber bath mat into the washing machine. A bath mat can be washed in a washing machine just as you would a load of clothes. To improve the cleaning process, add laundry. [8]- Include other, sturdy laundry items appropriate for washing in laundry detergent and chlorine bleach, e.g., white towels, should be added. Do not add items which may be damaged easily or by bleach.[9]
EXPERT TIPMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry MaidsExpert Trick: Take care of deep stains, smells, or mold by adding 1/2 cup of bleach to the wash cycle!
Wash the items on the gentle cycle using cold or warm water. Washing rubber bath mats in a setting for normal or bulky may weaken or damage the material over time. [10]
Remove the mat and hang it over a chair back or clothesline to dry. You may want to hand dry the bath mat to speed up the drying process.[11]
Expert Q&A
- QuestionCan you put rubber bath mats in the washing machine?
Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsYes, you can put your rubber bath mat in the washing machine. For added scrubbing power, you should wash your mat with a couple of towels or other laundry items. You should wash the bath mat on the gentle cycle, and you can use either cold or warm water. Be sure to air dry the bath mat. Do not put it in the dryer. - QuestionHow do you remove rubber mat from a bathtub?Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsIf your rubber mat is stuck to your bathtub, you can try applying WD-40, baby oil, dish soap, or Goo Gone. If your mat is really stubborn, you may need to let the product sit on the mat for a while. In addition, you may need to use a plastic scraper like a credit card to work the mat up. If you have an acrylic tub, please note that you should be more gentle so you do not damage the tub. - QuestionHow do you get mold out of rubber bath mats?Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsYou can use bleach to kill any mold on your rubber bath mats. You can either clean the bath mat by hand in the bathtub or you can put it in the washing machine with bleach. In the bathtub, combine 1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water then let the bath mat soak for a couple of hours before scrubbing it with a scrub brush. If you choose to use the washing machine, be sure to add bleach to the cycle. Wash the mat on gentle cycle and you can use either cold or warm water.
Tips
- A dishwasher can clean rubber bath mats very effectively. Dishwashers can clean any number of household items that are not dishes. This appliance may preferred if you’d rather not use a washing machine or if your washing machine is in use at the time. [12]Thanks
- For stains or set-in grime, scrub the area with a paste made from 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda.Thanks
- Avoid drying the mat in the dryer, as the heat is likely to ruin it.Thanks
Warnings
- Bleach is a common, household solution that must be handled with care. Be sure to wear protective gear like goggles and cleaning gloves, and make certain the work area is well-ventilated before beginning your work.[13]Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Washing machine
- Rubber bath mat
- Laundry detergent
- Chlorine bleach
- Vinegar (optional)
- Baking soda (optional)
References
- ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/home/chlorine-bleach-safety
- ↑ https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/home/chlorine-bleach-safety
- ↑ http://www.info.gov.hk/info/sars/en/useofbleach.htm
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.html
- ↑ http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/rubber-bath-mat.shtml
- ↑ http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/rubber-bath-mat.shtml
- ↑ http://www.creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/rubber-bath-mat.shtml
About This Article
To clean rubber bath mats, start by mixing a solution of 1 gallon of cold water and 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach in a well-ventilated bathroom. Without proper ventilation, you run the risk of inhaling noxious fumes and getting dizzy. Also be careful not to pour an indiscriminate amount of bleach straight from the bottle, or you might make a solution that is too potent. Once you have a mixture, let the mat soak in it for 3 to 4 hours to eliminate mold. Finally, give it a quick scrub with a scouring pad or cleaning brush before setting it outside in the sun to dry. For more advice from our Cleaning co-author, like how to use a washing machine on your bath mats, read on!
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